NASCAR's top drivers lead efforts to Salute the Troops
May 6, 2008
02:52 PM EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Six Sprint Cup drivers and two Nationwide Series drivers will lead all NASCAR fans in the USO Salute the Troops Memorial Day tribute to the armed forces on May 24-25 at Lowe's Motor Speedway to kick off a nationwide effort to raise funds for military families worldwide.
All will drive specially designed cars supporting branches of the military.
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Distinguished members of the military on Tuesday kicked off the Salute the Troops tribute in grand style with a military color guard presentation and the presentation of the cars that will run in the Carquest Auto Parts 300 and the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day to show their support for America's armed forces. The USO Salute the Troops program hopes to raise funds for American military families in need through the effort.
"I love the fact that we are able to, through our Salute the Troops race weekend, show how much we care, show how much our troops mean to us and show our support," Gordon said. "I would like to do more because I think that is what Memorial Day is all about -- paying tribute to the men and women that fight so hard for us. They put their lives on the line for us to have the freedom to be able to do this every weekend and to be able to live in a country that has so many benefits."
The NASCAR team owners, sponsors, drivers and employees donated the space on their cars to collectively thank the armed forces.
Diecast models and officially licensed merchandise of the participating drivers will be available for sale through Motorsports Authentics.
"The USO is proud to be the beneficiary of the Salute the Troops campaign," said Edward A. Powell, USO president and CEO. "We thank Speedway Motorsports, Motorsports Authentics, the racing community and its fans for their continued support of our men and women in uniform and the USO. It is with great pleasure that the USO joins you in conveying our gratitude for their service and sacrifice"
Participating USO Salute the Troops drivers
| Driver | Car | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Jeff Gordon | No. 24 DuPont Salute the Troops Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports |
| Dale Earnhardt Jr. | No. 88 National Guard/Amp Energy Salute The Troops Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports |
| Mark Martin | No. 8 Army Salute the Troops Chevrolet | DEI |
| Jimmie Johnson | No. 48 Lowe's Salute the Troops Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports |
| Clint Bowyer | No. 07 Jack Daniel's Toast the Troops Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing |
| Jon Wood | No. 21 Air Force Salute the Troops Ford | Wood Brothers Racing |
| Brad Keselowski | No. 88 NAVY Salute the Troops Chevrolet | JR Motorsports |
| Cale Gale | No. 77 VFW Salute the Troops Chevrolet | KHI Racing |
UPDATE:
Supporting Those that Support OUR Troops
In response to publication that NASCAR was going to demonstrate their Support of Our Troops, the Troop Haters have issued a call to undermine both NASCAR and the Effort. It is in the Interest of this Group to ensure that such a negative campaign by the opposition does not go unanswered.
It is crucial that NASCAR receive Postive Reinforcement for their Support of The Troops.
This was a response to the news in other circles:
"Nascar is a crappy excuse for a sport and should be banned for a year to save gasoline.""That would be the partriotic thing to do. All you nascar "patriots" out there can at least sacrafice a year of no races, right? You can do that small sacrafice for your nation? "
"It's time for all those super-patriotic Red-White-&-Blue nascar fans to write to the organization and demand a year of the races to be called off..."
MAILING ADDRESS
NASCAR
PO Box 2875
Daytona Beach, FL 32120or
EDIT: Feedback should be sent directly to [email protected] (correction as per response from previous email listed)
Some of you will be doubly offended by the language and message of that. Please distribute this message far and wide in Patriotic & NASCAR fan circles. NASCAR needs to hear from US demonstrating the gratitude of REAL Americans.
Y'all be sure to check out the "Iraq News-Daily Report" http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/daily_report/index.html & "Know Your Enemy" categories http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/know_your_enemy_series/index.html while you're here. MarineTilDeath made a great tribute video http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/videos/index.html to Seal Team Ten in the "Videos" category and MsMarti has done some great research to put together Scholarship Information and Other beneficial programs in the "Veterans' & Survivor Benefits" category http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/veterans_survivors_benefits/index.html . Did you know that BMW Motorcycles are offering discounts to the troops? "Businesses Supporting the Troops" http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/protroop_businesses/index.html category.
http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/
Stories of Valor of our Troops: http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/hall_of_heroes/index.html
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